Detroit - Diverse Settlement

Detroit in 1760 was a picturesque, lively and rapidly growing frontier town.  The center, which lies inside the present day city, contained about 100 small houses made of wood with bark or thatch roofs.  The 25 foot high barracks surrounding the town were well built for defense.  A council house and a church comprised the only public buildings.  The houses were grouped closely together at the center along narrow streets.

Detroit was lined on both sides with river banks for eight miles.  Small farms lay along the river containing a cottage, a garden, orchard and the whole was surrounded with a picket fence.  The settlement was a happy place.  Ottowas, Potawatomi, and Wyandots lived within the settlement on free and easy terms with the settlers.  Sunday card parties were festive occasions at the home of the English commander, Colonel Campbell.  The English King's birthday was the year's elegant affair.

In 1761, Sir William Johnson, General of Indian Affairs, visited Detroit.  It became the greatest social event of the season.  Guest danced for nine straight hours, and General Johnson surpassed that mark by dancing for eleven straight hours at the following ball in his honor.  During his visit, residents gave him elaborate dinners, showing off all the magnificence of frontier's best wines and cordials.  Even the Indian spectators were impressed!

Underneath all this festive opulence, the safety of the post and the security of the English command was an issue.  Thousands of square miles of territory inhabited by settlers were under protection of just 600 troops.  The danger was not from the newly conquered French, but from the Indians who were unpredictable.  The tribes had always been close to the French, following their orders to kill and scalp the English.  Now that the English were in control, discontent began to develop.

A deep rooted dislike for the English grew rapidly after 1760.  The Indians missed the supplies and gifts provided by the French.  They resented the arrogance of the British.  The soldiers openly showed them contempt and the confiscation of their land drove them to take desperate measures.

Next time...the Prophet
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Today in Pioneer History:  "On January 10, 1843, Frank James, older brother of Jesse, and an outlaw in his own right is born in Clay County, Missouri.

New Direction

With the New Year, we are starting a new topic...going back to my roots in the Midwest, historically known as the The Old Northwest.  Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky.  Feel free to offer your comments, but remember that comments are moderated for spam and must be on topic.  So let's get started! Ed. Note

In 1760 the vast country lying south of the Great Lakes, between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers was open for settlement after the English defeated the French.  The area became known as The Old Northwest.  With that said, four regions still remained under French control.

The French still controlled the east bank of the Mississippi River below St.Louis with a cluster of forts, missions, and trading posts that extended from Canada to Louisiana.  Secondly, the French held the Illinois Territory around St. Louis, near modern day Ottawa, Illinois which LaSalle had founded on the summit of "Starved Rock" in 1682.  Thirdly, was the valley of the Wabash where Vincennes had become the seat of the colony in the 18th century.  Lastly, the French controlled the western end of Lake Erie where Detroit, founded by Cadillac in 1701 had stood against the British for the last 50 years.

Troops, under Major Robert Rogers were dispatched to take possession of the lands remaining in French hands.  Rogers was a hero of the northern frontier and lead his band of "rangers" in 15 whaleboats down the St. Lawrence to Detroit.  At the mouth of the Cuyahoga River near present day Cleveland, he met a band of Indian chiefs under their chief Pontiac.

After satisfying the chiefs of the journey's intentions, they were allowed to continue to Detroit.  They arrived in the little town of Detroit where they found the French commander, Beletre.  At the moment, Beletre was interested in making trouble with the Wyandots, and Potawatomi Indians and wasn't concerned with Rogers and his rangers. Beletre's attempt failed, he laid down his arms, left the city in disgrace, and was taken as prisoner down the river.  The French fleur-de-lis was taken down and the English flag was raised. After 50 years, Detroit was in British hands.

The story continues next time...
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Today in Pioneer History: "On January 8, 1877, outnumbered, low on ammunition, and forced to use outdated weapons to defend themselves, Crazy Horse and his warriors fight their final losing battle against the U.S. Cavalry in Montana.